Engaged in Wickedness by Jade Lee

Author:Jade Lee [Lee, Jade]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Edward readjusted his best jacket and tried to blink the weariness from his eyes. He hadn't planned on doing this today, but matters were proceeding faster than he expected. He should have stopped at a coffee house on the way over here, but he didn't know when Gwen's brother would be at home. He had judged it better to appear bleary-eyed and early rather than late and miss the man all together.

Grabbing the knocker, he dropped it too hard and the sound seemed to clap through the quiet square. He didn't even have time to blink as the doorway was pulled open by a stern looking butler.

Edward handed the man his card and requested an audience with Robert Percy, Viscount Redhill. After a thoroughly insulting perusal, the man gestured him inside, took his hat and gloves, then bid him to wait. Edward did, glancing upstairs as he wondered if Gwen was still abed. What he wouldn't give to be able to join her there right now. Then his thoughts were cut short as the butler rapped on what must be the library door not more than 20 feet away.

"My lord," intoned the butler.

"Graves, my eyes aren't even open yet," came the muffled voice of Gwen's brother.

The butler opened the library door but did not actually venture inside. "Yes, my lord, but—"

"No, Graves! It was the devil's own nasty night as well you know."

"The weather was quite fine, my lord. And it has roused a Baronet Edward Murray to our door."

Edward strained to listen, wondering what the reception would be. Did Lord Redhill even know who he was? Apparently not because there was a long pause and then the scrape of a chair being pushed back.

"Political messenger?"

"Worse, my lord."

Edward jerked at that. He was worse than a political messenger?

"Not another business proposition. I am up to my ears in them."

The butler sadly shook his head then ventured into the library, presumably to pass over Edward's card. It was a moment later when his lordship suddenly understood. His groan echoed down the hallway.

"Another suitor? Haven't they all offered for her by now?"

"Apparently there is one more," came the butler's dry response as he returned to the hallway to gesture Edward inside. "Sir Edward Murray to see you, my lord," he said in an echoing voice.

And on that inauspicious note, Edward gathered as much of his dignity as he could and walked down the hallway to enter the library.

"I shall bring strong tea," Graves said behind his back. "For two."

Lord Redhill had his face sunk into his palms, but at Graves' tone, his head snapped up. "Two? Why two?"

The butler gestured expansively at Edward. "Because you have a visitor."

Lord Redhill's eyes narrowed. "You never bring drink for a suitor. Why this one?" Then the man turned his dark gaze onto Edward. "Why is my butler showing you favor?"

"I haven't the foggiest idea," Edward returned and then they both turned to stare at Graves.

"Out with it," snapped Lord Redhill. "Why is this man different?"

"Because the ivy beneath Lady Gwendolyn's window has been disturbed.

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